Blog

Erie Times-News — Reporter shield law merits backing

A federal reporter shield law is important to every American. News media sources, such as corporate whistle-blowers, alarmed government officials and concerned citizens, often request anonymity for fear of being harmed if their identities ar

Erie (Pa.) Times-NewsOct. 15, 2007

A federal reporter shield law is important to every American. News media sources, such as corporate whistle-blowers, alarmed government officials and concerned citizens, often request anonymity for fear of being harmed if their identities are revealed. The Free Flow of Information Act of 2007, sponsored by Sens. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), would prevent the government from threatening and jailing reporters for doing their jobs and keeping you informed.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved this bill by a 15-2 vote, and the U.S. House will vote on a reporter shield law at some point this year, said Speaker Nancy Pelosi. A vote could occur as soon as Tuesday.

Sources often provide information only on the condition of anonymity. They are fearful of firing, retribution and in some cases, physical danger.

In the two most famous examples, the Pentagon Papers and the Watergate scandal, alarmed individuals risked their careers for the public's right to know. In Watergate, President Nixon was forced to resign after Washington Post reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward exposed the Watergate cover-up by Nixon and several of his top aides.

The Erie Times-News relies on anonymous sources when it is warranted to get important information to you. Until recently, federal courts protected both reporters and their sources, recognizing the free press' constitutionally protected role. However, U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald convinced a judge to jail a New York Times reporter for months when she refused to turn over information in the outing of CIA operative Valerie Plame Wilson.

In recent years, more than 40 reporters have been questioned about their sources, notes and stories in civil and criminal cases. Many have been threatened or jailed because they refused to reveal a source's identity. This is why this proposed federal legislation is urgently needed.